A new
South Hills shop is reviving and redefining a traditional art form. Specializing in needlepoint’s latest materials and methods,
Beehive NeedleArts opened on Sept. 24th at 617
Washington Rd. in
Mt. Lebanon.
“We’ve always been very active needlepointers. Our mother taught us when we were growing up,” says co-owner Jessica O’Brien, who runs the shop with her sisters and mother. When the talented needlepointer was unable to find innovative designs, she made her own. “Needlepoint is kind of traditional, but I wanted something funkier, more individualized.”
The 1,500 square-foot shop carries 50 different lines of thread, including metallic fibers, threads made from bamboo and soy, and formaldehyde-free hand-dyed varieties. “We’ve differentiated ourselves in the market. There’s been so much innovation as far as fibers go. That adds another creative outlet—it’s not just about color. It offers limitless possibilities,” adds O’Brien, who studied architecture and graphic design at
Penn State and
McGill. “Pittsburgh stores have very little customization. Our canvases are hand painted—that’s a distinction too.”
Beehive offers customized designs, monogramming and beginner and advanced classes. “There are needlepoint shops in
Sewickley and the East End. There’s a market in the South Hills. The demographic of the whole corridor from
Dormont to
Peters is a good fit. It has the right feel and pedestrian traffic. There’s a
Mt. Lebanon blog that we’re already on,” adds O’Brien, who cites the shop’s proximity to a parking garage and coffeehouse as perks.
The owners repainted the space, retrofitted the cabinetry and installed a hanging wall system. “This space was pristine, exactly what we were looking for,” says O’Brien, whose family owns
PJ Dick.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSource: Jessica O'Brien, Beehive NeedleArts
Photograph copyright © Jennifer Baron